Lift cable transfer apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lift cable transfer apparatus for retrieving a submerged object including: a strongback; a reel mounted on the strongback for reeling in and storage of a messenger line from the submerged object; power means mounted on the strongback for powering the reel; and latching means mounted on the strongback for connecting the strongback to the submerged object.

United States Patent Oeland, Jr.

[ Dec. 18, 1973 [54] LIFT CABLE TRANSFER APPARATUS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS lnvemofl Ernest Oeland, west Covina 455,824 10/l936 Great Britain 114 51 Calif.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as primary Emminer Trygve Blix represented the secretary of the Almrney-Richard S. Sciascia and Ervin F. Johnston Navy, Washington, DC.

[22] Filed: Jan. 12, 1970 T [21] Appl. N0.: 2,303 [57] ABS RACT A lift cable transfer apparatus for retrieving a sub- 52 11.5. C1. 114/51, 114/165 merged Object including: a strongback; a reel mounted [51} Int. Cl. B63c 7/04 on the Strongback for feeling in and Storage Of [58] Field of Search 114/1675, 16.8, 16.4, Sanger line from the submerged Object; power means 1 4 50 5 1; 9 9 mounted on the strongback for powering the reel; and

latching means mounted on the strongback for con- [56] References Cited necting the strongback to the submerged object.

LNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures l.459.7l4 6/1923 Bishop 114/51 X mk 1:": 1'1: w :11

4O s W,

PATENTEUUEE 18 99B 3779195 SHEET 1 BF 6 T FIG. 4. FIG. 5.

[NW l5 01% ERNEST N OELAND,JR.

BY ERVIN F. JOHNSTON ATTORNEY.

PMENIEDBH: 18 1915 3.779.195

sum 3 BF 6 FUSE NIEIIIJEC I8 I975 3.779.195

SHEET 6 OF 6 T IL I A HYDRAULIC PUMP BATTERYI I '98 MOTOR l n. l

7/I62 7 I STOP TAQT IL 1 sw| CH FUSE SWITCH 22 IL PUMP MOTOR CONTROL 10R ZI RM MASTER RELAY LOW TENSION CL 01R SPEAR 2 A Q 15 22 sumo; ISEC fi 21 224 m \/APPROACH w WARNING 3OSEC PINGER L IL i I 4m I l 11; ZTR

| PPS I 'ICR 3TR LEZ V TENSION SENSE RELAY LATCH-UP SENSE RELAY (DELAY ON ENEFIGIZEI LATCH UP IN PROCESS RELAY (DELAY ON ENERGIZE) APPROACH WARNING RELAY (DELAY ON RELEASE) LATCH IN PROCESS APPROACH WARNING LATCH- UP LOW TENSION WARNING LIFT CABLE TRANSFER APPARATUS STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over the past few years many deep ocean manned submersibles have been built for the purpose of investigating by direct observation the great depths of the ocean. Some of these submersibles conduct their investigations on ocean bottoms as deep as 10,000 feet. The crew of a deep submersible, just like a submarine crew, must have a means of emergency escape from the submersible should the submersible become trapped at a deep ocean depth. If such entrapment occurs, the submersible crew may be completely dependent upon rescue by outside sources for raising the submersible.

Practice torpedoes have been retrieved from depths of about 2,000 feet by unpowered hookup devices which rely upon gravity and slide down a released messenger line from the torpedo. The messenger line has a float which can be found by a surface ship and then the hookup device is slideably connected to the messenger line and lowered by a lift cable until the device hooks itself to the torpedo. The lift cable then lifts the torpedo to the surface ship. This method of retrieval has been especially troublesome at depths greater than 1,000 feet because of the close proximity of the two lines. Th side-by-side condition of the lines causes them to tangle with one another and prevent the hookup device from following the messenger line. When the two lines become fouled, it is necessary to pull the hookup device back to the surface and start the operation all over again. Illustrative of this technique are U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,824,694 and 2,118,466.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a lift cable transfer apparatus for deep submersibles or other submerged objects which overcomes the problem of entanglement between a messenger line from the submersible and the lift cable from a surface ship. This has been accomplished by spooling the messenger line within the transfer apparatus as it is lowered by the lift cable. The deep ocean transfer apparatus may include a strongback which provides the connection between the lift cable and the deep submersible; a reel mounted on the strongback for reeling in and storage of the messenger line from the submersible; power means mounted on the strongback for connecting the strongback to the deep submersible. The lift cable transfer apparatus is uniquely optimized by employing a particular combination of elements which cooperate in a novel manner. For instance, the strongback may include a tube having latching means at its bottom and a lifting eye at its top. The reel may be mounted concentric with the tube and a capstan may be mounted to one side thereof. The latching means may have an opening for receiving the messenger line therethrough so that the line can pass up through the tube and out through a cutout in the tube to the capstan, after which the line is fed onto the reel. Means may also be provided for stopping the power to the capstan and reel after the strongback is connected to the submersible and means may be provided for acoustically indicating to the surface ship dis tance to go before process of connecting can be started and when the connection has been made.

An object of the present invention is to provide a deep ocean lift cable transfer apparatus which will operate without entanglement of messenger and lift lines.

Another object is to provide a safe and efficient deep ocean lift cable transfer apparatus which has a high probability of hookup with a submerged object within a minimum amount of time.

A further object is to provide a lift cable transfer apparatus which reels in and stores a messenger line from a submerged object, but in case of component failure can be hauled back by the cable and still maintain connection with the submerged object through the messenger line.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as it becomes better understood by reference to the description and accompanying drawings which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a deep submersible which has just released a float and messenger line.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a float marking the location of the deep submersible.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the powered lift cable transfer apparatus being lowered by a lift cable and reeling in at its bottom and storing the messenger line which is connected to the deep submersible.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the powered lift cable transfer apparatus coming into the proximity of the deep submersible.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the powered lift cable transfer apparatus connected to the deep submersible and lifting it toward the surface ship.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional schematic illustration of the powered lift cable transfer apparatus connected at its top to a lift cable and reeling in at its bottom and storing a messenger line from a deep submersible.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the powered lift cable transfer apparatus with portions cut away to show various details thereof.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged detail of FIG. 9.

FIG. 8 is a view taken along plane VIIIVIII of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view taken along plane IX-IX of FIG. 7, with the view rotated counterclockwise.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane XX of FIG. 7 to show details of the latching mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating messenger line tension vs. lowering rate in ft. per see.

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of the hydraulic system of the powered lift cable transfer apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the electrical circuitry within the powered lift cable transfer apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like or similar parts throughout the several views there is shown in FIG. 6 a powered lift cable transfer apparatus 20 which is being lowered from a surface ship by a lift cable 22 to a distressed deep submersible 24. The bottom end of the powered transfer apparatus may receive a messenger line 26 from the deep submersible and as this line is reeled within and stored in transfer apparatus 20 the lift cable 22 may be payed out from a constant tension winch 28 on the surface vessel. A spear 30 may be mounted in the messenger line 26 for making connection with the transfer apparatus 20.

The powered transfer apparatus 20 may include a tubular strongback 32 which has mounted at its top a swivel 34 for connection to the lift cable 22, and has mounted at its bottom a latching means 36 for latching with the spear 30. A storage reel 38 may be mounted concentrically about the tubular strongback 32 for reeling in the messenger line 26 from the submersible 24. A level wind 40 may be employed for ensuring that the messenger line is wound evenly on the reel 38. Capstan 42 may be mounted on one side of the tube 32 for taking the majority of the tension on the messenger line 26 prior to being fed to the reel 38. The latching means 36 is provided with an opening for receiving the messenger line 26 therethrough, and from the latching means the messenger line extends upwardly through the natural passageway provided by the tubular strongback 32. Opposite the capstan 42 the tubular strongback 32 is provided with a cutout, which will be illustrated in subsequent figures, and a sheave 44 is mounted on the strongback within the cutout for feeding the messenger line 26 to the capstan 42. The reel 38, level wind 40, and capstan 42 may be powered by a hydraulic means 46 which is mounted to one side of the tubular strongback 32, and this power means may be electrically energized by a substantially square battery pack 48 which is received by the tubular strongback 32 between the sheave 44 and the latching means 36. Mounted on top of the transfer apparatus may be located an electrical circuit control package 49 for controlling various functions of the transfer apparatus. The transfer apparatus 20 may have a square casing 50 for surrounding its components and at the top of this casing there may be mounted a pinger 52 for providing status signals to the surface ship. The details of the powered transfer apparatus 20 are shown in subsequent figures which will now be described with particularity.

As shown in FIG. 7 there may be mounted on the tube 32 three laterally extending platforms 54, 56, and 58, the top platform 54 and bottom platform 58 being full platforms and the middle platform 56 being a half platform. Between the platforms 54 and 56 the storage reel 38 may be rotatably mounted on the tube 32 by bronze sleeves 60. Mounted about the tube 32 in slideable engagement with the sleeves 60 there may be bronze thrust bearings 62, the bottom thrust bearing 62 being retained by the platform 56 and the top thrust bearing 62 being retained by a retainer ring 64. The level wind 40 may have its lead screw 66 rotatably mounted between the platforms 54 and 56 so that the level wind follower 68 can reciprocate therebetween for winding the messenger line 26 evenly on the storage reel 38. A guide bar 70 may also be mounted between platforms 54 and 56 for stabilizing the movement of the follower 68.

As shown in FIG. 7 a radially extending platform 72 may be mounted to the tube 32 with a smaller platform 74 mounted in a spaced relationship on the platform 72 by bolt and sleeve combinations 76. The capstan 42 may be mounted between the platforms 72 and 74 with their shafts and sprockets 78 mounted above the platform 72. The means for powering the capstan may include a hydraulic motor 80 which is also mounted on the platform 72 with its shaft and sprocket 82 extending thereabove. The hydraulic motor 88 is powered through hydraulic lines 84 and 86, which are connected to the hydraulic power means 46, and the motor 80 in turn powers the capstan 42 by a chain 88 which extends between sprockets 82 and 78.

The storage reel 38 and level wind 40 may be powered by a hydraulic motor 90 which may be mounted on the platform 56. The motor 90 may be powered by a pair of hydraulic lines 92 and 94 which are connected to the hydraulic power means 46. The hydraulic lines 92 and 94 are controlled by a messenger line slack servo valve 96 which will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

In order for the motor 90 to drive the drum 38 a sprocket 98 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor and a sprocket 100 is mounted on the rotatable bronze sleeve 60 adjacent the reel hub with a chain 102 interconnecting the two sprockets. In order to drive the level wind 40 a shaft 104 is journaled in the platform 56 with a top sprocket 106 which is powered by the chain 102 and a bottom sprocket 108. A sprocket 110 is mounted on the lead screw 66 of the level wind and a chain 112 extends between this sprocket and the sprocket 108. The ratios of the sprockets are chosen so as to evenly wind the messenger line 26 on the storage reel 38.

The messenger line 26 extends through a central.

opening in the latching means 36, thence through the bottom portion of the tube 32, and out through a cutout 114 in the tube 32 to the capstan 42. The messenger line 26 is directed to the capstan 42 by the sheave 44 which is mounted in the cutout 114 by a bifurcated bracket 116 which may be welded to the tube 32. From the capstan 42 the messenger line 26 may be directed toward the level wind 40 by a pulley 1 18 which may be mounted in place by a generally U-shaped bracket 120 which is connected to the platform 58. Between the pulley 118 and the level wind 40 (See FIGS. 7 and 7A) there may be located the messenger line slack servo valve 96. This messenger slack servo valve is for the purpose of powering the reel 38 in a winding direction when there is low tension on the messenger line 26, stopping power to the reel 38 when there is medium tension on the messenger line, and reversing the direction of power for unwinding the reel 38 when there is high tension on the messenger line. The servo valve 96 is a four-way type which has a plunger 122 for indicating low, medium, and high tension on the messenger line 26. In FIG. 7 the plunger is shown in the low tension position which will cause the motor 90 to power the reel 38 in a winding direction. The plunger 122 is biased to a low tension position by a spring 124 which is connected between a plate 126 and a generally channel-shaped lever arm 128. The servo 96 may be mounted on the plate 126 and ito plunger 122 may be pivoted at its end by a pin 129 in a small longitudinal slot of the lever arm 128. Hydraulic lines 130 extend from the servo 96 to the hydraulic reservoir 46 and the function of the servo and these lines will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The lever arm 128 may be pivotally mounted to the bracket 120 by the pin of the sheave 118 and the plate 126 may be mounted on the platform 58 to one side of the arm 128. Mounted at the free end of the lever arm 128 is a pulley 131 for receiving the messenger line 26. The lever arm 128 may have the crosspiece of its channel appropriately cut out for operation of the sheaves 118 and 131, and the passage of the messenger line 26. From the pulley 131 the messenger line 26 may be fed over a pulley 132 for proper feeding of the messenger line to the level wind 40. The pulley 132 may be mounted in place by a bracket 133 which is bolted to the motor 90.

Mounted on a bracket 134 is a reed switch 135 which is in magnetic response proximity to the messenger line 26. The messenger line has a magnetized section (not shown) a predetermined distance before hookup with the submersible 24 so as to actuate the switch 135 and indicate approach of the transfer apparatus to the submersible 24, and another magnetized section (not shown) which actuates the switch to stop power to reel 38 and capstan 42 and indicate hookup of the transfer apparatus 20 with the submersible 24. As will be described in detail hereinbelow the switch 135 cooperates through a lead 136 with electrical control circuitry 49 for performing these indications and power shut off. If the messenger line 26 is non-magnetic, such as nylon, magnetic plugs can be embedded in the line at the predetermined distances, however, if the line can be magnetized, such as steel line, the line can then be simply magnetized over sections at the predetermined distances.

On the plate 126 there may be mounted a push button messenger line low tension alarm switch 137 which is is contact with the lever arm 128 and is held open by the messenger line 26 when the line is under tension and closes when the line becomes slack. This switch cooperates with electrical control circuitry 49 for operating the pinger 52 when the messenger line becomes slack. This arrangement will be described in detail hereinbelow.

As shown in FIG. the latching assembly 36 may include a generally tubular housing 136 which is mounted at its top end to the bottom end of the strongback tube 32 by any suitable means, such as welding, and is open at its bottom end for receiving the spear 30 on the messenger line 26. Three radially extending flanges 140 (one of which is shown in FIG. 10) may be mounted on the exterior of the tubular housing 136. A latching dog 142 may be mounted on each respective radial flange 140 with a portion of each dog projecting inwardly into the housing through a respective cutout 144 in the housing. An outer portion of each dog is provided with notches 146 in which there are disposed resilient biasing means, such as Neoprene O-rings 148 for retaining each dog 142 in its closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Accordingly, upon insertion of the spear 30 the dogs 142 will open to allow passage of the spear, after which the dogs are immediately biased to a closed position to retain the spear in a locked position and attach the lift cable to the deep submersible by the transfer apparatus 20.

Spaced in an upward position from the dogs 142 there may be mounted on the exterior of the tubular housing 136 an annular flange 150, upon which there is in turn mounted a reed switch 152 adjacent each respective dog 142. A magnet 154 may be mounted on the top portion of each respective dog 142 adjacent to each respective reed switch 152 for keeping the reed switch 152 in a normally closed position. When the spear 30 is inserted so as to momentarily open the latching dogs 142 the reed switches 152 are momentarily opened for actuating control circuitry 49 (see FIG. 7) which will play a part in terminating power to the reel 38 and capstan 42, and actuating the pinger 52 to indicate that the transfer apparatus is latched up with the deep submersible. This control circuitry 49 will be described in more detail hereinbelow. Fairleads 156 and 158 may be provided at the bottom ends of the tubular housing 136 and the strongback tube 32 respec tively for protecting the messenger line 26 as it is reeled into the transfer apparatus 20.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 the hydraulic reservoir 46 may be mounted to one side of the capstan 42 on top of the platform 58. This reservoir has a fluid filled casing which is adjusted to ambient pressure, and an electric motor and responsive hydraulic valve components for properly operating the reel motor and capstan motor 80. These components will be described in detail hereinbelow. At the bottom of the hydraulic resersoir 46 there is located a pressure compartment 160 which contains electrical relays (to be described hereinafter) for properly controlling the electric motor in the hydraulic reservoir 46.

Mounted below the hydraulic reservoir 46 adjacent to the platform 58 is the battery pack 48. This battery pack has a generally square configuration with a circular opening 164 so as to be received about the strongback tube 32. In order to ensure proper placement of this battery pack an annular boss 166 with a bottom taper may be mounted on the strongback tube 32 adjacent the platform 58 so that the battery pack 48 can be centrally positioned and retained about the strongback tube 32. This annular boss 166 has a cutout (not shown) so as to provide space for the sheave 44. About the bottom end of the strongback tube 32 and adjacent the top end of the latching means 36 there is mounted a large ring 168 which has a counterbore for receiving the top end of the latching means 36. This ring 168 receives the inner tubular wall of the battery pack 48 and rearward extensions 170 of this wall may be utilized for securely retaining the battery pack 48 in position by bolts 172 which are threaded into the ring 168. Connectors are located within a recess 174 of the battery pack 48 for making electrical connection between the batteries and the electrical components. This will also be described in more detail hereinbelow.

As shown in FIG. 12 the hydraulic reservoir 46 contains the pumps and valves necessary for proper operation of the capstan motor 80 and reel motor 90. The hydraulic reservoir 46 is filled with oil and is adjusted to ambient pressure through an accumulator 174. As an exemplary illustration the components within the hydraulic reservoir 46 have been chosen to maintain a messenger line tension on the capstan 42 of 400 lbs. for a lowering rate of O to 2 ft/sec, and a messenger line tension line between 10 to 80 lbs., depending upon fullness of the reel, for a lowering rate from 2 to 10 ft/sec. This is graphically illustrated in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12 the capstan motor 80 is driven by a pair of pumps 176 and 178, the pump 176 being a 2.3 gpm set at a 1,800 psi rating to provide 400 lb. line tensions and the pump 178 being at a 5.9 gpm 200 psi rating for dropping the line tension when the messenger line speed is higher than 2 ft/sec. The pumps 176 and 178 are interconnected by a check valve 180 for preventing pressure from the high pressure from the high pressure pump 176 from entering the low pressure line during lowering rates of 2 ft/sec or less. When the lowering rate exceeds 2 ft/sec the line pressure from the pump 176 drops to 200 psi alloiwng the low pressure pump 178 to feed through the check valve 180 and drive the capstan motor 80. When the high pressure pump'176 is operating the low pressure pump 178 unloads through a pilot operated relief valve 182 which is set at 200 psi. From the valve 182 the fluid unloads through a relief valve 184 which is set at 20 psi to ensure back pressure on the valves and pumps to provide proper operation. Between the high pressure and low pressure lines of the capstan motor 811 there is connected a check valve 186 which is set at 1,880 psi for preventing system overpressures and also limiting tension on the messenger line when the transfer apparatus 20 is pulled backward.

The storage reel motor 90 is driven by a hydraulic pump 188 which may be an 8.8 gpm set at 600 psi. Interconnected in the high pressure and low pressure lines from the storage reel motor 96 is a direction control valve 190 which is responsive to the servo valve 96. During normal operation of the valve 190, which is the position shown in FIG. 12, the motor 90 is driven in a direction to wind the messenger line on the storage reel. When the tension on the messenger line between the capstans and storage drum exceeds 85 lbs the valve 190 is driven to a middle position to stop fluid flow to the motor 90, and when this tension exceeds an amount such as 422 lbs the valve 190 is driven to its far right position to reverse the fluid flow to the motor 90 so as to reverse the direction of the storage reel and unwind the messenger line. The means for moving the valve 190 to its various positions is the four-way servo valve 96 which has been described hereinabove. This servo is actuated by tension on the messenger line between the capstans and the storage reel.

All fluid may be returned to the hydraulic reservoir by a return line 192, and each of the pumps 176, 178 and 188 may be commonly connected to an intake line 194 for drawing fluid from the reservoir into the pressure system. The pumps may each be commonly powered by an electric motor 196 which in turn is connected by an electric line 198 to motor controller components within the casing 160. These components are described in detail hereinafter. These motor control components in turn receive electrical power from the battery pack 162, as described hereinabove.

The electrical control circuitry is shown in FIG. 13. The majority of this circuitry may be located within the package 49 which is a pressure housing mounted on the top of platform 54. Start and stop switches 202 and 203 may be provided on the outside of the housing for starting operation of the transfer apparatus. Components within the electrical housing 49 may be selectively connected to (l) the pinger 52 by a lead 204, and (2) to various components within the hydraulic reservoir 46 by a lead 206 which extends through the strongback tube 32 and then into the housing 46. As shown at the top of FIG. 13 the batteries within the battery pack 48 are connected thorugh solenoid contacts 1M and overload relays 1L to the electric motor 196 within the hydraulic reservoir 46 (see also FIG. 12). The solenoid operated contacts 1M are the motor control elements which are located within the casing 160 and connectors 208 and 210 are located within the recess 174 for connecting battery power 48 to the solenoid operated contacts 1M. A portion of the battery power 48 is fed to the remainder of the control circuitry which is primarily housed within housing 49'. This power can be tapped from lead 198 (see FIGS. '7 and 12) and fed to the electrical control housing 49 through the leads 2116. Operation of the transfer apparatus is initiated by pressing the start switch 262 which causes the solenoid 1M in line 212 to be energized and close the corresponding contacts 1M in lines 198. This starts operation of the electric motor 196. Closing the start switch 202 also energizes solenoid CRM which closes contacts CRM in lines 214, 216 and 218. The closing of the contact CRM in line 214 maintains the solenoid CRM in the same line in an energized condition, the closing of contact CRM in line 216 applies battery power to lines 220, 222 and 224, and the closing of contact CRM in line 218 applies battery power to the pinger circuitry.

Before operation of the transfer apparatus the switch 137 is held in an open position by a long pin 211 (see FIGS. 7A and 9) which extends through the bracket and lever arm 128 and which can be pulled from the outside of the casing 51). When sufficient tension has been applied to the messenger line after start of the capstan 42 and reel 3% the pin is pulled and the tension of the messenger line maintains the switch in the open position. The low tension switch 137 is closed by action of the spring 124 when messenger line tension between the capstan 42 and the storage reel 38 becomes low (such as less than 10 lbs). When this occurs electrical power is applied to energize solenoid 1CR in line 220 which opens contact 1CR in line 214 and 1CR in line 228, and closes contacts 1CR in line 230 of the pinger control circuitry.

Since the thermal relay 3TR in line 234 does not function until 5 seconds has elapsed after application of power, this provides for a 5 second pinger test beginning when the start motor switch 202 is depressed. Contact 3TR in line 228, contact 1CR in line 228 are closed and the pinger is energized through line 228 and causes the pinger to give one ping per/sec for a 5 second pinger test. After the 5 second period of time has elapsed and thermal relay line 234 has functioned a low tension in the messenger line will energize the pinger through line 230 and cause the pinger to give two pings per/sec because thermal relay BTR in line 234 has opened contact STR in line 2319 and the contacts of thermal relay 2TR and contact 1CR are closed. Also solenoid 1CR in line 2211 has opened contact 1CR in line 214 and interrupts electrical power to all systems. However, when the low tension condition is corrected solenoid 1CR in line 214 will not be energized and contact 1CR in line 124 will close and electrical power will be restored to all circuits. Also contact 1CR in line 230 will be opened thus interrupting the pinger. Since contacts of thermal relay 3TR and of thermal relay 4TR in line 228 are open, closing of contact 1CR in line 228 did not effect the pinger signal.

In line 222 there are located the three reed switches 152 of the latching mechanism 36 (see FIG. 10). These switches are normally in a closed position and open only when the spear 30 has pushed the latching dogs 142 outward when passing. Also in line 222, is a reed switch which is normally open and is closed after the spear 30 has passed the latching dogs and its closing energizes thermal relay solenoid 2TR which may have a one second or greater delay-before opening contacts 2TR in lines 212 and 230, and closing contact 2TR in line 236. In line 234 which is connected between the reed switches 152 and the spear seated switch 135 is located a thermal relay solenoid 3TR which may have a 5 second delay before operating the contacts on lines 228, 230 and 236. Since the reed switches 152 are normally closed, the solenoid 3TR is normally energized and after a 5 second delay moves the contact 3TR in line 228 to open, contact 3TR in line 230 to open and contact 3TR in line 236 to close. When the spear 30 enters the latching mechanism 36 all three of the reed switches 152 should open, however if only one switch is opened, it will de-energize solenoid 3TR in line 234 and the contact 3TR will be in the position as shown in FIG. 13. This will energize the pinger through line 228 I and key the pinger for one ping per/sec to indicate that the apparatus is beginning the process of latching with the spear 30.

After the spear 30 passes the latching dogs 142 (see FIG. the reed switches 152 are again closed and the reed switch 135 is closed when the spear is properly located in the latching mechanism by a magnet that is located in the messenger line. (Other means may be employed, such as larger diameter of messenger line for short distances). The solenoid 2TR in line 222 is energized when the reed switch 135 is closed. After 1 second, contact 2TR in line 212 is opened and in the pinger circuitry, contact 2TR in line 230 is opened and contact 2TR in line 236 is closed. The opening of contact 2TR in line 212 de-energizes solenoid 1M which opens contact 1M in line 198 which interrupts electrical power to the motor 196. This stops the hydraulic pump and hydraulic power to the capstan 42 and the storage reel 38. Five seconds after the solenoid 3TR in line 234 is reenergized by the closing of reed switches 152 in line 222, contact 3TR in line 236 is closed. Since contact 2TR in line 236 is also closed, the pinger will be energized through line 236 which will cause the pinger to give one half a ping per/sec to the surface ship to indicate that the apparatus has properly latched up with the spear 30.

The normally open reed switch 135 also operates in line 224 and is located on bracket 120 (see FIG. 7A). This switch 135 is closed when a magnet (not shown) in the messenger line 26 passes the switch 135. The magnet is located in the line at a predetermined depth above the deep submersible to indicate that the apparatus is approaching the submersible. A thermal relay 4TR in line 224, which is energized by the momentary closure of switch 135 in line 224, closes contact 4TR in line 240 for 30 seconds and then re-opens them. If no low tension condition is present in the messenger line, relay ICR in line 220 will not be energized and contact ICR in line 228 will be closed. Also contact 3TR in line 228 is open because solenoid 3TR in line 234 is energized. The pinger will be energized through line 228 which will cause the pinger to give one ping per/sec for 30 seconds or until the thermal relay 4TR in line 224 opens contact 4TR in line 240. The logic used in selecting the various repetition rates in the pinger establishes a priority system. The highest priority signal is latchup and this condition will interrupt the other two signals, should they occur simultaneously. The next higher priority signal is the low tension alarm and it interrupts the lower priority signal of latch-in process or approach warning.

In the operation and method of the invention the deep submersible 24 or other submerged object may be retrieved by first extending the messenger line 26 to the surface of the ocean. This may be accomplished by a float 242 (see FIG. 2) which is released from the deep submersible 24. This float release means is well illustrated in the prior art and is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,123,842. Personnel on a surface ship can remove the float 242 and attach the messenger line 26 to a lead line (not shown) which extends within the transfer apparatus 20. The apparatus is then actuated by mechanically holding switch 137 in open position by pin 211 and pushing the start motor switch 202 so that the messenger line 26 is drawn over the capstan 42 and onto the storage reel 38 and is operated until proper tension (greater than 10 lbs) is developed between the capstan 42 and the storage reel 38. Then the pin 211 can be pulled so as to make the apparatus 20 fully automatic and it is then lowered by the shipboard winch 28. When the apparatus is lowered at a speed of 2 ft/sec or less the messenger line tension is about 400 lbs between the capstan 42 of the apparatus 20 and the submersible. When the lowering speed is greater than 2 ft/sec the messenger line tension between the capstan 42 of the apparatus 20 and the submersible will be less than 400 lbs. The tension of the messenger line between the capstan 42 and the storage reel 38 of the apparatus 20 as it is being stowed may be greater than 10 lbs but less than lbs depending upon how much line is reeled on the storage reel 38. As the powered apparatus approaches the deep submersible (see FIG. 4) the pinger 52 indicates this approach and the speed can then be dropped to 2 ft/sec or less. The tension on the messenger line then rises to about 400 lbs so as to enable close control over the latching up process. When the powered apparatus has latched with the spear 30 in the messenger line the pinger 52 provides another indication and the powered apparatus motor is shut off, after which the deep submersible is raised, as shown in FIG. 5. Should personnel on the surface ship decide to raise the powered retriever prior to latchup with the deep submersible it is simply lifted back toward the ship and the messenger line is correspondingly payed out from the apparatus. In this process the messenger line tension raises to an amount slightly greater than 400 lbs and the storage reel is powered in a reverse direction. Operation of the individual components of the retriever have been set forth in preceding paragraphs.

It is now readily apparent that the present invention is a unique combination of elements which provides many operational advantages. The transfer apparatus 20 is negatively buoyant and when placed in water will become flooded through the tube 32 and out into the casing 50 through the cutout 114 and other openings if desired. Air within the transfer apparatus will vent through openings in the top platform 54. Since only the small compartments for the electrical and hydraulic components are pressure resistant the transfer apparatus does not suffer the depth limitations of some prior art recovery devices. The negative buoyancy of the transfer apparatus 20 enables the internal power system thereof to easily reel in the messenger line 26 from the submerged object while the winch 28 on the surface vessel pays out the lifting cable 22. During the lowering of the transfer apparatus 20 the square housing 50 minimizes rotation by its baffling action. When the strongback 32 is directly connected to the submerged object ill Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim: l0 1. A lift cable transfer apparatus for retrieving a submerged object comprising:

a strongback;

a reel mounted on the strongback for reeling in a messenger line from the submerged object;

power means mounted on the strongback for powering the reel;

latching means mounted on the strongback for connecting the strongback to the submerged object;

the latching means having an opening means for receiving the messenger line therethrough;

the strongback having a tube which has a top and a bottom and is adapted to receive the messenger line therethrough;

the latching means being mounted at the bottom of the tube and the top of the tube being adapted for connection to a lift cable;

the reel being mounted on the tube with its axis of rotation aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tube;

a capstan mounted on the strongback to one side of the tube, said power means powering the capstan;

the tube having a cutout for exiting the messenger line to the capstan thence to the reel; and

a sheave mounted to the strongback and located within the cutout of the tube for feeding the messenger line to the reel.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including:

means mounted on the strongback and responsive to latching of the latch means for stopping the power means after the strongback is connected to the submerged object.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including:

means mounted on the strongback and responsive to slack in the messenger line between the capstan and the reel for stopping power to the capstan at a predetermined slack and reversing direction of power to the reel when the slack exceeds said predetermined slack.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including:

a pinger; and

means mounted on the strongback for activating the pinger when the strongback is connected to the submerged object.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including:

a substantially square casing mounted about the strongback; the power means including a square battery pack mounted about the tube and within the casing below the reel. 

1. A lift cable transfer apparatus for retrieving a submerged object comprising: a strongback; a reel mounted on the strongback for reeling in a messenger line from the submerged object; power means mounted on the strongback for powering the reel; latching means mounted on the strongback for connecting the strongback to the submerged object; the latching means having an opening means for receiving the messenger line therethrough; the strongback having a tube which has a top and a bottom and is adapted to receive the messenger line therethrough; the latching means being mounted at the bottom of the tube and the top of the tube being adapted for connection to a lift cable; the reel being mounted on the tube with its axis of rotation aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tube; a capstan mounted on the strongback to one side of the tube, said power means powering the capstan; the tube having a cutout for exiting the messenger line to the capstan thence to the reel; and a sheave mounted to the strongback and located within the cutout of the tube for feeding the messenger line to the reel.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including: means mounted on the strongback and responsive to latching of the latch means for stopping the power means after the strongback is connected to the submerged object.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including: means mounted on the strongback and responsive to slack in the messenger line between the capstan and the reel for stopping power to the capstan at a predetermined slack and reversing direction of power to the reel when the slack exceeds said predetermined slack.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including: a pinger; and means mounted on the strongback for activating the pinger when the strongback is connected to the submerged object.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including: a substantially square casing mounted about the strongback; the power means including a square battery pack mounted about the tube and within the casing below the reel. 